Statement
by His Excellency Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda, President of the
Republic Of Zambia, announcing the death of Former President
of the Republic of Zambia Dr Frederick Jacob Titus Chiluba

In Lusaka,
Zambia

18th June, 2011

Fellow Citizens:

It is with deep sorrow and sadness that i formally announce
the passing away of our dear former president Dr Frederick
Jacob Titus Chiluba who died in the early hours of this
morning, Saturday 18th June 2011.

The late second Republican President died at his home in
Lusaka just after midnight.

Dr Chiluba will be remembered for the pivotal role he played
in pioneering the reintroduction of multiparty democracy to
Zambia, and by extension to the whole continent of Africa. He
was the first president of the ruling Movement for Mutiparty
Democracy (MMD) which he led from 1991 to 2002.

During his tenure as president of the Zambia Congress of Trade
Unions (ZCTU), he built a solid labour movement which
extensively advocated the rights of workers in Zambia and
across the world.

President Chiluba will be remembered, among other things, for
laying the foundation towards the liberalization of the
economy which has led to the present economic growth zambia is
experiencing.

He will be sadly missed by all Zambians and human rights
activists across the world.

I appeal to the nation to mourn the late former president with
dignity and respect.

Further details about the funeral and burial arrangements will
be communicated periodically by Cabinet Office.